Sigma Alpha
Template:Short description Template:Infobox Fraternity
Sigma Alpha ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) is an American professional sorority for agricultural students. It was established at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in 1978 as a women's fraternity. The sorority has chartered more than 80 chapters in the United States.
HistoryEdit
Sigma Alpha was first conceived on February 26, 1977, by Ohio State University students Marilyn Burns, Cindie Davis, Amy Matthews, Ann Huling Mathews, and Jennifer McMillan.<ref name=":6" /> On January 26, 1978, Sigma Alpha became an officially recognized as a student organization.<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":6" /> It was established as a women's fraternity for agricultural students and to promote scholarship, leadership, and service.<ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />
In 1980, its five founders established a national board to oversee the Alpha chapter at Ohio State and to expand the sorority to other institutions.<ref name=":6" /> They also changed the fraternity's constitution to allow additional chapters.<ref name=":6" /> Beta chapter was chartered at Purdue University on April 14, 1984.<ref name=":6" /> Ten additional chapters followed between 1985 and May 1991.<ref name=":6" />
The fraternity held its first annual national convention in 1985 in Columbus, Ohio.<ref name=":6" /> Since then, the national board has been elected at the annual conclave.<ref name=":6" /> By 1991, Sigma Alpha had 750 members.<ref name=":6" /> The organization was incorporated in the State of Ohio on April 8, 1991.<ref name=":6" />
Sigma Alpha is a member of the Professional Fraternity Association (PFA), a national organization of professional Greek letter organizations. It also belongs to the Consortium of Collegiate Agricultural Organizations. As of 2024, more than 19,000 members have been initiated into Sigma Alpha, now called a professional sorority.<ref name=":7">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The sorority's national headquarters are in Hampton, Iowa.<ref name=":7" />
SymbolsEdit
The fraternity was named Sigma Alpha for "Sisters in Agriculture".<ref name=":5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":6" /> Its motto is "Cultivating Professional Women in Agriculture".<ref name=":3" /> Its pillars are Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Sigma Alpha's crest is diamond-shaped, with the top half being larger than its bottom.<ref name=":6" /> The Greek letters {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} are located in the diamond, surrounded by an etching of a chrysanthemum to the right, a yoke to the left, and a sunrise and wheat shafts below.<ref name=":6" /> Above are two rows of Greek letters; the top consists of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} and the bottom row of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.<ref name=":6" /> At the bottom of the diamond are the Greek letters {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.<ref name=":6" />
The fraternity's badge is like the crest, with the addition of an emerald in the four points of the diamond and pearls in between.<ref name=":6" /> Sigma Alpha's colors are emerald and maize.<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":3" /> Its jewel is the emerald.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> Its flower is the yellow chrysanthemum.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> The sorority's mascot is a Perry, a baby bull.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6" />
The fraternity's original publication is Sigma Alpha News.<ref name=":6" /> In addition, Emerald & Maize was added in 1991 as a short administrative update from the national board.<ref name=":6" /> Its current newsletter is the Emerald Times.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Collegiate chaptersEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Sigma Alpha has chartered more than 80 collegiate chapters in the United States; 71 are active as of 2024.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":6">Anson, Jack L. and Marchesani Jr. Robert F., eds. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 20th edition. Indianapolis: Baird's Manual Foundation, 1991. pp. V.52-V.53. Template:ISBN</ref><ref name=":7" /> It also has 20 active alumnae chapters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
PhilanthropyEdit
The sorority's national philanthropy is its Agriculture in the Community which allows members to give back and spread the word about the agriculture industry.<ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
Template:Ohio State University Template:Professional Fraternities